ATI TV Wonder vs. PVR250MCE

[Datalux]

I currently have an ATI TV Wonder Pro and I am considering purchasing the PVR250MCE and Sage TV. However I don't really like the picture quality of the ATI card using Descaler and S-Video on my 50" Grand Wega so I am wondering how much better the PVR250 is going to be? I believe my ATI uses the Conexant BT878A chipset, does the PVR250 use a different one and does it contrbute to the video quality??

[stanger89]

The PVR 250 uses a Philips chipset (not sure of the number), that is indeed much better than the BT878, colors are far better with the newer chip.

However I did some looking and the TV Wonder Pro appears to use the newer Conexant CX2388x which is as good or better than the Phillips chip on the 250.

So the question becomes, what is the problem you have with the PQ of the TV Wonder?

[Datalux]

Hey Stranger (always wanted to say that...)

I believe the TV wonder I have is an older version as the connections are the same as this but the purple connector is in between the RF and line out connectors. Also, the Conexant chip is on the back of the the card and says 878A on it.

Regarding PQ I have tried it with:
Descaler 4.x
ATI MMC 9.x
JR Media Center 10.x

While Descaler is about the best, it is nowhere (different hemisphere) near as good as the S-video connections from the D* SAT520 box -> DMR E80H recorder -> TV. I was expecting at least as good as the current setup given the signal is run thru the DVD recorder before the TV. The colors as you mention are washed out and inacurate regardless of adjustments and the picture itself presents a lot of gradients, pixelation and noise.

The HTPC is connected to a 50" Sony Grand Wega III via DVI from an Nvidia FX5900XT with pretty close to 1:1 mapping. DVD's look incredible using TheaterTek and FFDshow so I don't think it is the HTPC signal getting mangled. Cartoons actually look pretty good as Descaler reduces the mosquito noise but anything on regular TV is horrid.

[salsbst]

I think you could find a way to make the 250 record great video if you really want to make it work. Calibration of the 250 isn't easy, but Stanger89's guide goes a long way to making it simple. If you're willing to invest some time/effort, you won't be dissapointed with the 250. If you're out for something easy, beware of PC-based PVRs.

Just my 2 cents.

[Datalux]

I've actually read some of Stranger's stuff both here and abroad and it, in part, has lead me to believe that the PVR250/SageTV comb is the route to go. I am certainly no stranger (no pun intended) to investing time in my HTPC. After all, I got it to work with excellent results on the (most unfriendly) GWIII after almost a years effort and discussion on the AVS forums. Far as I can tell the PVR250/Sage route should be a snap with what Stranger has provided. I just want to make sure the tuner is a giant step forward WRT the older 878A chipset. If I can get TIVO (or better)quality, it should rival my Panasonic DMR-E80H with a much friendlier interface and integration. That, I can easily live with...

[Opus4]

I just can't resist... it is amazing how often that extra r works its way into stanger89's forum name...

Datalux: Don't worry, you aren't the only one who has done that.

Now back to the regular scheduled programming...

- Andy

[stanger89]

Originally posted by Opus4
I just can't resist... it is amazing how often that extra r works its way into stanger89's forum name...

It's to the point now that every time I see the word stranger, I think it's referring to me

Datalux, since you say your card has a BT878, then I'll say without a doubt that the 250 will look far better.

Short story to give you a frame of referrence.

I started with an ATI TV Wonder, it's a BT878 card, let's just say it was frustrating and the recording quality was poor. So the moment I heard about this new-fangle TV card with hardware MPEG encoder I was excited, I waited a few months for them to come out, and the moment they did, I got one, it was a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-PCI (notice the price if you think the 250 is expensive). It too was a BT878 based card that used the Visiontek Kfir2 MPEG encoder, and the quality was better, mostly because I could now record in full resolution, MPEG2. I was reasonably happy with that, until my PC decided it didn't like it, and recording started missing. So I tried a Tivo, had it for a weekend and it just didn't work for me, guess I missed the interaction. Anyway, then I finally got my 250, it's got the newer 9-bit Philips TV chip, and wow! was I surprised. First it's got a better tuner than I had, so there was less noise, but probably more impressive were the colors, they just popped.

FWIW, I've got a few screenshots:



And as for my nick, this should explain it

[Datalux]

I just can't resist... it is amazing how often that extra r works its way into stanger89's forum name...

Oh my gosh!! There's no R in Stranger89, errr, I mean, there's no R in Stanger89. I have been reading posts here and in AVS for about a year and never noticed. My sincere apologies... :O

Your screen shots go along way in proving your point. If I can get that good of quality with a PVR and Sage, I'm sold.

[stanger89]

I'm lucky, having good clean cable, our company built a $1B fiber network here in CR, if you've got a good source you should be gold, if you don't have a good source, there's only so much you an do.

And don't worry about the R, it doesn't really bother me, although I have been trying to figure out the best way (read most fun) to make that point

[DFA]

Originally posted by Datalux

Your screen shots go along way in proving your point.

Two points are being made! Not only the PQ but that he very much likes "Mu-stang-er"s.

Stanger: thnx for the clarification on the source of your handle. So is it the plane or the car(s) you own (would it be an 89 )?

DFA

[stanger89]

Wish it was the plane I owned but I don't have a spare $2,000,000+

No, I've got an 89 GT.